Melissa Antonio

Holiday Season

My holiday anticipation always begins super early in September because of the fact that Costco starts selling gift baskets of chocolate covered cherries and flavored hot cocoas.

Christmas is definitely my favorite time of the year. Hands down.

But it is really just the spirit and the atmosphere that I like the most. The way the neighborhoods light up, the decor changes, television programs show specials, and food takes on theme pertaining to the season. The mere fact that the whole community simultaneously escalates in joy during this particular season is really what appeals to me.

But what I lack, is the togetherness that is streamed from this holiday.

Today in child development we discussed the unique holiday rituals that different families do traditionally year after year. While people spoke of decorating stockings, dinner at their grandma’s, and intimate little talent shows within the family, I remembered the fact that my mom always works on Christmas day, and how our Christmas Eve dinners are awkwardly quiet now  that my brother and I have grown up.

For my family, Christmas poses the question, What item is that you want this year? A new laptop, a TV, or a large sum of money? In addition to that our Christmas tree is always just a contribution to our living room interior decor, as if we were a hotel decorating our lobby for the season.

There is a certain sanctity behind Christmas, I understand. I do not fail to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. It is in the celebration of our Christ’s birth. But if maybe, my family could just celebrate it together, it would be that much more joyful.

This post is not to criticize my parents or to imply a sort of negligence to my brother and I. Don’t get me wrong, when we were children, Christmas was as it was to children. I guess it is really just the transition that makes me sad. The fact that Christmas has aged along with my brother and I, and ultimately makes me feel as if we will never go back.

It is with my future family that I hope the Christmas that I share with my children, remain pure and infinite. That way, my parents can have reason to rejoice once again, and so can my children and I.